Battery Storage

blaurence · 12-08-2011, 02:41 PM

I have a 2007 335i that I would like to take the battery out of for the winter and store it indoors. Is anybody aware of any issues with cars computers not being happy with this scenario. I've heard rumours that if removed from power the computers might need re-programming.

Glim · 12-08-2011, 04:11 PM

Will be fine, you will need to set the date and time when you hook it back up; do an oil change and run it on the highway for at least 30 minutes before storage.

ENINTY · 12-08-2011, 05:45 PM

It would be better to put the battery on a battery maintainer and leave it hooked up to the car. If you store the battery out of the car it will self discharge and be dead come Springtime. You need to keep the battery charged either way.

Glim · 12-09-2011, 01:26 AM

Will you be storing the car in your garage?

If you store your car indoors in a unventilated room hooked to a charger in the trunk for three months the battery will vent hydrogen to the exterior of the car as it charges, wouldn't that pose a risk of an explosion if there was a spark? Hydrogen is a very low density(.07) gas, it will gravitate to the ceiling.

High speed camera hydrogen explosion

Charge the battery to 100% and then store it in a cool and dry environment, charge to 100% before you put it back into your car to minimize work on the car's charger.

At 0°C you will have 97% battery life after 6 months.

How to store batteries

blaurence · 12-09-2011, 07:51 PM

Thanks for the replies. The car is stored in the garage (unheated) but the battery will be stored indoors. I plan to give it a charge every month to keep it topped up, but that sounds like it may not even be necessary. Dealership says the car may throw some codes in the spring, but I can probably clear those with my BT tool.

Tom K. · 12-10-2011, 07:18 PM

Make sure the car is unlocked and the trunk open as there have been horror stories about folks not being able to get in their cars with dead/removed batteries.

But since the car will be garaged, is there any reason not to simply attach an inexpensive Battery Tender to the underhood terminals and leave the battery in the car?

Tom

TotalPower · 12-10-2011, 08:53 PM

i used to store my car for 3-4 months at a time in an non-controlled storage room in texas over summer...no problem ever

12-08-2011, 02:41 PM	#1
blaurence Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2007 335i coupe Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Battery Storage I have a 2007 335i that I would like to take the battery out of for the winter and store it indoors. Is anybody aware of any issues with cars computers not being happy with this scenario. I've heard rumours that if removed from power the computers might need re-programming.
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12-08-2011, 04:11 PM	#2
Glim Captain 23 Rep 780 Posts Drives: 2006 330i & 2013 X5 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Victoria, BC iTrader: (0)	Will be fine, you will need to set the date and time when you hook it back up; do an oil change and run it on the highway for at least 30 minutes before storage.
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12-08-2011, 05:45 PM	#3
ENINTY Banned 179 Rep 3,415 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Sport Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	It would be better to put the battery on a battery maintainer and leave it hooked up to the car. If you store the battery out of the car it will self discharge and be dead come Springtime. You need to keep the battery charged either way.
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12-09-2011, 01:26 AM	#4
Glim Captain 23 Rep 780 Posts Drives: 2006 330i & 2013 X5 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Victoria, BC iTrader: (0)	Will you be storing the car in your garage? If you store your car indoors in a unventilated room hooked to a charger in the trunk for three months the battery will vent hydrogen to the exterior of the car as it charges, wouldn't that pose a risk of an explosion if there was a spark? Hydrogen is a very low density(.07) gas, it will gravitate to the ceiling. High speed camera hydrogen explosion Charge the battery to 100% and then store it in a cool and dry environment, charge to 100% before you put it back into your car to minimize work on the car's charger. At 0°C you will have 97% battery life after 6 months. How to store batteries Last edited by Glim; 12-09-2011 at 01:50 AM..
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12-09-2011, 07:51 PM	#5
blaurence Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2007 335i coupe Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the replies. The car is stored in the garage (unheated) but the battery will be stored indoors. I plan to give it a charge every month to keep it topped up, but that sounds like it may not even be necessary. Dealership says the car may throw some codes in the spring, but I can probably clear those with my BT tool.
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12-10-2011, 07:18 PM	#6
Tom K. Major General 125 Rep 5,626 Posts Drives: '07 328iT, '13 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Make sure the car is unlocked and the trunk open as there have been horror stories about folks not being able to get in their cars with dead/removed batteries. But since the car will be garaged, is there any reason not to simply attach an inexpensive Battery Tender to the underhood terminals and leave the battery in the car? Tom
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12-10-2011, 08:53 PM	#7
TotalPower Lieutenant 32 Rep 480 Posts Drives: 2011 335is Vert AW Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	i used to store my car for 3-4 months at a time in an non-controlled storage room in texas over summer...no problem ever
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